(2018—Director: J.A. Bayona) — by Renard N. Bansale — ★★½ (out of 5 stars) “If I don’t make it back, remember…you’re the one who made me come.” — Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) to Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) Potential spoilers below It took some by surprise when 2015’s Jurassic World became the first movie to gross over $500 million worldwide …

(2018—Director: Ron Howard) — by Renard N. Bansale — Low ★★★½ (out of 5 stars) “Assume everyone will betray you and you will never be disappointed.” “Sounds like a lonely way to live.” “It’s the only way.” — Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) Potential spoilers below A ubiquitous media franchise, like any creative endeavor, does not …

(2018—Director: Wim Wenders) — by Renard N. Bansale — Low ★★★½ (out of 5 stars) “As long as the Church is placing its hope on wealth, Jesus is not there.” — Pope Francis “The artist is an apostle of beauty, who helps others live better.” — Pope Francis Potential spoilers below From his elevation to the papacy in March of …

(2018—Director: Lynne Ramsay) — by Renard N. Bansale — High ★★★★ (out of 5 stars) “McCleary said you were brutal.” (beat) “I can be.” — Sen. Albert Votto (Alex Manette) and Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) Potential spoilers below In the opening for my review for The Beguiled last summer, I described writer-director Sofia Coppola as one of modern cinema’s formidable female …